Modi to Congress: Don't speak of tehzeeb; you didn't even spare my mother

Last updated on: May 09, 2014 23:02 IST

Narendra Modi on Friday accused Congress and its chief Sonia Gandhi for resorting to "low-level" politics and raising issues from his personal life to his caste in their bid to prevent him from coming to power.

Addressing his last of the 12 rounds of 3D hologram rallies which have so far covered 1,300 locations across the country, he appealed to the Election Commission for deploying central forces in the last phase of polling to ensure free, fair and peaceful voting and maintain law and order.

"For the last two months, I have faced continuous dirty attacks on me. I have been facing the dirt thrown on me due to the blessings of God and the people. You gave a communal colour to this election and raised issues from my childhood to my personal life. You even dragged my mother, who is not in public life, into the controversy.”

"You stooped so low in this election that you made remarks even on my caste and are making false allegations.. You abuse Modi or you hang Modi. But why target a small caste which does not even have half a per cent vote?”

"Where are you headed, my Congress friends? There is a limit to speak a lie. You have crossed all limits. And now, Madam Sonia is teaching us tehzeeb (manners)," he said addressing the last 3D rally.

Modi urged the Election Commission to deploy central forces in the 42 remaining Lok Sabha constituencies that go to polls in the last phase of polling on May 12 and asked why central forces cannot be moved to ensure free and fair poll and maintain law and order.

"The polling on May 12 is important as such people are contesting who do not believe in the laws. I urge the Election Commission, you become an umpire and I will praise you on May 16. Deploy central forces by not depending on state police to maintain law and order so that no mistake is repeated," he said.

Attacking Sonia, Modi said "don't put finger in my mouth. Who is indulging in low-level politics and politics of untouchability? ... If providing employment to the youth, water and money to farmers to prevent their suicide and providing education to the poor is low thinking, then Modi is ready to accept that he is doing low-level politics."

He also cited examples of a Kerala minister being questioned for visiting Gujarat to learn about the state's development model and later a Left party Muslim MP was expelled for praising the Gujarat model.

Modi also cited the example of Congress leaders attacking Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar for expressing her view in his favour and Amitabh Bachchan for being a brand ambassador of Gujarat tourism.

He also said three economists of Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, of which Sonia is the Chairperson, were sacked after they praised the Gujarat model.

"So much you fear of losing power that you even sent a research team to my village to ascertain if I grew up selling tea in my early days. You mocked and insulted me. Congress should know defeat comes and goes but why stoop to such low levels," he said.

Modi said despite Congress' negativity, he will continue to remain on the agenda of development and good governance and not be diverted.

"For Congress and UPA, these elections were a joke. Their attitude has been non-serious right from Day 1," he said.

The BJP's prime ministerial candidate also urged the voters of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, including that of his own Varanasi constituency, to come out in large numbers and break polling records by voting in favour of the BJP.